Post-quarantine changes of body weight gained during the COVID-19 quarantine among the Lithuanian adult population
Date | Volume | Issue | Start Page | End Page |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024-05-08 | 17 | Suppl. 1 | 174 | 174 |
GC2.051
Introduction: In Lithuania, the COVID-19 quarantine lasted from 16 March 2020 until 1 July 2021. Previous studies found that unfavourable changes in nutrition and reduced physical activity during the quarantine were associated with body weight gain across various populations. There is a significant lack of data regarding the persistence of changed lifestyle habits and body weight. This study aimed to examine post-quarantine changes in body weight gained during the COVID-19 quarantine among the Lithuanian adult population. Methods: The cross-sectional study was performed on a random sample of Lithuanian residents aged 20 to 64. Face-to-face interviews were conducted within households countrywide in 2023. The questionnaires included questions on changes in lifestyle habits and body weight during and after the COVID-19 quarantine. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using self-reported height and weight. Overweight was defined as a BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m2 , and obesity as a BMI of ≥30 kg/m2 . A total of 1500 individuals (742 men and 758 women) participated in the survey. Results: An increase in body weight during the quarantine was reported by 22.7% of participants. The odds of body weight gain were associated with age, increased quantity of food eaten and frequency of snacking, increased consumption of confectionery, sweetened drinks and home-delivered food, as well as reduced physical activity. Body weight gained during the quarantine persisted among 64.3% of the participants in the post-quarantine period. More women (70.1%) than men (57.4%) maintained increased body weight (p=0.015). Highly educated individuals were less likely to maintain gained body weight than low educated (odds ratio 0.543; p=0.017). The persistence of gained body weight was associated with maintenance of a high amount of food eaten (37.3%), frequent snacking (36.9%), increased meat consumption (57.7%) and confectionery consumption (40.5%). The persistence of reduced physical activity was reported by 45.8% of participants who maintained gained body weight after the quarantine. The prevalence of overweight in the post-quarantine period was 46.9% among men and 54.3% among women, and the prevalence of obesity was 12.1% among men and 14.8% among women. The odds of the increase in body weight during the COVID-19 quarantine were 2.7 times higher among the respondents with overweight and 3.1 times higher among those with obesity than among the individuals with normal body weight in the post-quarantine period. Conclusions: Increased food intake and reduced physical activity during the quarantine led to weight gain. Many individuals who gained body weight during the quarantine indicated the persistence of unhealthy lifestyle habits post-quarantine. The targeted interventions are needed to help individuals develop and maintain healthy lifestyle habits, even in times of crisis.